Design, Development, and Evaluation of the LactoCare Mobile Application for Improving Breastfeeding Knowledge and Attitudes Among Lactating Mothers: Study Protocol for a Quasi-Experimental Study

BackgroundBreastfeeding is one of the most effective strategies for promoting maternal and infant health; however, many mothers experience challenges due to insufficient knowledge, misconceptions, and inadequate support during the breastfeeding period. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies provide an opportunity to deliver continuous, accessible, and evidence-based educational support. This study aims to design, evaluate, and assess the effectiveness of the LactoCare mobile application on breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes among lactating mothers.Methods:The educational content of the application will be developed based on evidence from previous studies and breastfeeding guidelines. The application will include structured educational materials addressing breastfeeding principles, benefits, correct breastfeeding techniques, and management of common breastfeeding challenges. The effectiveness of the intervention will be evaluated by comparing changes in mothers’ knowledge and attitude scores before and after using the application. In addition, the usability and user acceptance of the application will be assessed.Expected Results:Of ۹۰ screened records, ۳۸ studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. Gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia were the most frequently investigated outcomes. Common algorithms included logistic regression, random forest, support vector machine, XGBoost, gradient boosting, deep learning, and ensemble methods. Major predictors included maternal characteristics, obstetric history, laboratory biomarkers, blood pressure, ultrasound findings, and electronic health record variables. Reported AUC values ranged approximately from ۰.۷۰ to ۰.۹۵. Limited external validation and insufficient assessment of clinical applicability were frequently observed.Conclusion:The development and evaluation of the LactoCare mobile application may provide evidence regarding the potential role of mHealth-based educational interventions in improving breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes among mothers. The findings of this study can contribute to the development of accessible and evidence-based digital educational tools to support breastfeeding practices.

کلیدواژه ها:

Breastfeeding ، Lactating Mothers ، Breastfeeding Education ، Knowledge ، Attitude ، Mobile Application ، Mobile Health (mHealth)